Paul's Story

Paul’s Story (Kootenai County, Idaho)

Days before Paul was preparing for a needed surgery in August, Medicaid denied the procedure. Paul’s mother, Elizabeth, immediately sought help to fix what she assumed was a mistake. She was informed that Paul’s Medicaid was canceled because of incomplete paperwork. This confused Elizabeth because she carefully monitors Paul’s medical documents. She never saw reauthorization forms or notice of termination. Elizabeth was told she would have to complete the entire Katie Beckett Medicaid application process again, a process that can take upwards of three weeks.

Paul’s surgery was canceled. His weekly speech, occupational, and physical therapies were canceled. To maintain access to his critical services and medications, Paul’s family had to pay out of pocket at an incredible financial strain. Idaho’s new bureaucratic red tape on Medicaid left Paul without needed medical care.

Together, let’s build the Idaho every child deserves. Join us with a gift today!

When Paul was a toddler, he had a stroke that resulted in multiple medical needs. Paul was enrolled in Idaho’s Katie Beckett Medicaid, a special program for kids with disabilities. Medicaid is a critical lifeline for Paul as he grows and develops.

Paul’s parents received a devastating surprise this summer. Their four-year-old son with lifelong disabilities unexpectedly lost access to his weekly therapies, doctor appointments and a planned surgery – all services essential to Paul’s health and well-being. Medicaid is a critical lifeline as he grows and develops, but due to new bureaucratic red tape, Paul’s Medicaid coverage was terminated.

Idaho’s unnecessary bureaucratic red tape on Medicaid left Paul and his family out in the cold.

Thanks to you, we jumped into action this fall to address this disturbing new trend. We convened stakeholders, released a report, talked with the media and identified solutions to prevent other children from being dropped from coverage. However, we need your help to advance a permanent solution this winter. With your support, we can act.

Sadly, Paul’s experience is not unique.

We heard dozens of similar Idaho stories where – through no fault of the family – a child’s Medicaid coverage was unexpectedly terminated due to added barriers and more confusing systems. Last year, Idaho saw the largest rate increase of uninsured children in the nation. While Paul’s health care was thankfully restored, not every family will be successful in navigating a needlessly complex process.

Powerless children need powerful voices.

The 2020 Legislative Session brings opportunities to address the children’s coverage crisis in Idaho. Unlike special interests, our work is funded by people committed to children and the future of our state. By giving today, your support will allow us to accomplish the following this winter:

  • Reverse recent losses in children’s health insurance coverage and remove unnecessary barriers to Medicaid
  • Ensure Medicaid expansion is fully funded by the Idaho Legislature and implemented without added red tape
  • Expand the reach and impact of evidence-based home visiting programs for new families across Idaho
  • Promote foster care reform to improve child welfare outcomes and prevent child abuse and neglect

Idaho Voices for Children in the Media

“Parents grew frustrated with unclear agency answers and turned to outside advocates. Liz Woodruff, the assistant director of Idaho Voices for Children, a statewide organization that advocates for families, was already tracking the decline in Idaho’s Medicaid enrollment when she learned about the Katie Beckett complications.” – ProPublica, October 31, 2019

Read the ProPublica Article

Special interests spend millions on lobbying. But kids and families don’t have those kinds of resources. Instead, they have you. They have Idaho Voices for Children. Please join us with a gift today!